Former Olympian, Socceroo and Indigenous leader announced as GIVIT’s Indigenous Ambassador
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National online charity GIVIT is proud to announce one of Australia’s most decorated football players, and Indigenous advocate, Jade North as Ambassador for their National Indigenous Support Program.
GIVIT matches generosity with genuine need through its website ensuring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have access to what they need, when they need it most.
From Arnhem Land to suburban Sydney, GIVIT’s National Indigenous Support Program has become a vital resource providing essential items to improve the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, as well as items to support people to return to work and school.
Since launching the program in 2019, GIVIT have connected with 225 Indigenous support organisations across Australia and have provided linen, shoes and underwear, to mattresses, laptops, and appliances for their clients needing support.
Born in the NSW community of Taree and a proud member of the Biripi Mob, Jade North is an inspiration beyond the world’s football fields.
Jade’s 20 years as a professional footballer saw him compete in teams across Asia, Europe and Australia, and earn countless accolades including 2016 NAIDOC Sportsperson of the Year, the first Indigenous captain of the Socceroos and competing at the Athens and Beijing Olympic Games.
Jade has been an ambassador for the Mini Roos, the Leukaemia Foundation, Mental Awareness Foundation, the Indigenous Games and the Indigenous Football Championships. Jade also founded ‘Kickin with a Cuz’, a football program that uses inclusion through sport to empower disadvantaged Indigenous children to make better life choices.
Jade North says growing up in a fractured family and battles with depression have motivated him to create sustainable pathways for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to better their lives.
“I’m incredibly excited to be part of GIVIT’s Indigenous program, that asks our communities across Australia exactly what our most vulnerable people need to improve their situation,” North said. “I want to support and inspire as many Indigenous children and communities as possible, and there’s no better platform that provides dignity and hope to each donation recipient than GIVIT and their National Indigenous Support Program.”
GIVIT CEO Sarah Tennant said she was thrilled to welcome such a strong figure in the sporting and Indigenous community as the charity’s Indigenous Ambassador.
“Jade’s passion to make a real difference will be life-changing for the hundreds of Indigenous charities and communities we support across the country,” Tennant said. “We can’t wait to assist even more people through our growing Indigenous program. With Jade as our Indigenous Ambassador, we hope to raise awareness of our life changing program and inspire more people to donate items or funds to better the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in our cities as well as rural and remote communities.”
100% of donated funds received by GIVIT are used to purchase essential items, from local businesses and providers where possible.
GIVIT provided a bed for a disadvantaged young man undergoing treatment for Leukaemia. He had been sleeping on a mattress on the floor.
Jade North will balance his role as Ambassador alongside his responsibilities as National Client Relationship Manager for Vivid Property Services Pty Ltd.
“GIVIT is thankful to Vivid for encouraging Jade to undertake his Ambassador role while continuing in his corporate position that supports increased Indigenous employment and business ownership through Vivid’s Indigenous Services”, Tennant said.
Pearl Dy is a community manager and journalist. She is passionate about business and development particularly involving not-for-profits, charity and social entrepreneurship.
